Akwasi...

[BigRnj]

Yeboah showed his value and versatility against P5 competition today. With a stat line of 14 pts, 8 tough rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, a steal and some really tough D on SH bigs and guards, plus scoring from 3 and attacking the basket... I’m not missing that Canadian dude all that much today (btw what’s his name :Sly:).

Yes we would certainly be better with Eugene, but AY allows a faster game and brings scoring options that EO did not. Glad he’s a Knight.

 

[Shell21]

was going to start a separate thread on Yeboah too. Guy is our most consistent and best all around player if you ask me; just so solid in all areas.

He seems to be always in the right spot, plays with an under control pace, is never sped up and is a monster on the boards for someone who's not a huge dude. Today, he just wrestled the ball away from two all guys on separate offensive rebounds. Guy is a total stud and I'm pissed we don't have him for another year.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

He played a man's game today and showed a lot of touch

 

[RU848789]

He was awesome today. His best game rebounding and on the inside this year, IMO.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Captain Yaboah. Well earned.

Now grab a few guys round the shoulder when needed. Next step. His demeaner and maturity are critical.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

If he improves game-over-game we have a shot here. Fantastic get by Pikes!!

 

[Caliknight]

Yeboah > Guy from Canada

 

[Joey Bags]

Nothing is better than yelling YEEEEAAHHHHBOOOAAAAH when he drills a 3. Really wish this guy was gonna be on the team longer.

 

[hiwater]

.... but AY allows a faster game and brings scoring options that EO did not. Glad he’s a Knight.

Great point. I had not thought of it this way. We certainly would not be as effective pressing with Eugene. He was not the most mobile guy after his knee cap dislocations. AY can cover out beyond the ark and stick with his man while driving.

 

[soundcrib]

#FreeYeboahMore

Plenty of room still for Steve to do so.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

He is playing with toughness.

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

Maturity. Yeboah's leadership is taking hold. The boys have a good role model.

 

[YoucancallmeRay]

We won the last two games. Guess who was put into the starting lineup both games.

 

[RutgersDom]

If he improves game-over-game we have a shot here. Fantastic get by Pikes!!

I thought he was our best player tonight. So many extremely tough rebounds!!! Big three

 

[sct1111]

He needs to play more minutes. Just as much as Geo IMO.

 

[Scangg]

Yeboah has been absolutely fantastic all around. He also brings thoughness and maturity. Play him a ton of minutes as long as he keeps this up. He's efficient and rarely forced things. Shooting driving rebounding defense dmjust doing it all

 

[JQRU91]

If he improves game-over-game we have a shot here. Fantastic get by Pikes!!

Pike got him twice.

 

[JQRU91]

was going to start a separate thread on Yeboah too. Guy is our most consistent and best all around player if you ask me; just so solid in all areas.

He seems to be always in the right spot, plays with an under control pace, is never sped up and is a monster on the boards for someone who's not a huge dude. Today, he just wrestled the ball away from two all guys on separate offensive rebounds. Guy is a total stud and I'm pissed we don't have him for another year.

It probably helps that he's used to being the go to guy from when he was at Stony Brook.

 

[RUonBrain]

Man, we could really use another Yeboah next year.
What an incredible pickup by the coaching staff.
Totally washes away the loss of Eugene.

If had to have 1 of them on the team for this season, I think it is a no brainer which fits in best.

Just took a little time to get integrated. Must now start every single game.

 

[Degaz-RU]

He also has a KILLER British accent. Heard him interviewed on the post game show.

 

[MadRU]

Yeboah played 30 minutes, Baker 28

 

[rufeelinit]

He has played very well and earned his minutes. I think we are a better overall team if no one needs to play more than 30 minutes. I think it helps the defensive intensity for the game by keeping the minutes in that range. Depth is one of our main advantages right now. Use it.

 

[kcg88]

He has been awesome and is an example of why we should keep being active in the transfer market.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Pitt.....3-6 FG....2-4 from 3...1-1 FTs....9 PTS in 20 Minutes.

Michigan State...6-9 FG...2-3 from 3....3-3 FTs...17 PTS in 25 minutes

Wisconsin...3-6 FG....1-2 from 3....2-2FTs...9PTS in 26 minutes

Seton Hall.....5-8 FG....3-5 from 3...1-3FTs....17 PTS in 30 minutes.

And it's not an individual sport, basketball is a flowing, rhythm and synchronized sport that must have a player capable of impacting a defense off the dribble and catch & shoot from 3.

RU looks, flows and is a more in sync player when you have this type of player matched with Ron Harper at the other forward (or McConnell/Mathis).

The "factor " is that Yeboah is now impacting games on the glass and rebounding, which adds his value as a leader that sets the right example on how you want to play.

And it's not as if Yeboah is dominating possessions by holding onto the ball, trying to score....the ball finds him within the flow of the offense and if nothing is there, he moves the ball to the next player.

9 PTS.....6 shots
17 points....9 shots
9 points.....6 shots
17 points....8 shots

This is allowing others to grow within the offense. Harper, McConnell, Mathis and company are developing at a pace that doesn't require them to force shots up. It's not 13 to 14-15 shot attempts to get numbers that impact winning.

BTN network host Dave Revsine added this tweet, which is about culture and fit. Yeboah is a part of building that for this roster, even if just for 1 season at Rutgers.

 

[Goku]

He’s my favorite player right now. And he is our best option from 3. He plays smart. Has an inside game. Good rebounder. Veteran steady leadership. He needs to keep starting games and getting his 25 minutes

 

[soundcrib]

He needs to play more minutes. Just as much as Geo IMO.

They both need to be 30+ per.

 

[goru7]

Soundcrib, you worrying about minutes for Akwasi but he has already shown his efficiency with less minutes. More minutes does not necessarily mean better efficiency. The move that was overdue was inserting him into the starting lineup which will increase his minutes plus pair him with Harper, which give us the best forwards we have had in forever. They can shoot from three, can drive to the basket and get fouled, and have a dynamite mid range game. Akwasi is a veteran and his pump fakes are awesome and something our Rutgers players have not done in forever, and led to assists for layups or getting him from 3 point territory to 2 point territory where his shooting percentage is much higher. Plus he is a good foul shooter as he is going to be fouled more and more. Harper could learn a thing or two watching Akwasi ‘s game , with the pump fakes and hard drives to the hole , keeping your dribble until you are close to the goal. Plus I think he wouldn’t mind taking game winning shot or having the ball in his hands on the last possession which is invaluable to Coach as he seems to trust Geo in that role but I am leaning Akwasi.

 

[RUich]

Willard gave him real props at the post game presser.
Said it was clear that he was a 5th year player.

 

[RUhobbit]

There's lots to love about him. His shot, toughness, steadying presence. I think he's going to be very successful in life -- degree from Stony Brook (one of top SUNY's) and Rutgers grad degree (says Health Admin, but I'm not sure what program that is). Seems like a fantastic young man! Love rooting for this team!

 

[MadRU]